Italy: At Least 26 Dead Following Boat Mishap Involving Migrants, Reports UN Refugee Agency
In the tragic and ongoing migrant crisis, two separate incidents off the coasts of Italy and southern Yemen have claimed the lives of over 60 migrants.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Italy reported that 60 survivors were brought to a centre in Lampedusa, an Italian island, following an incident where at least 26 migrants are feared dead after their boat capsized off the coast of Lampedusa. According to survivors, there were 92 to 97 migrants on the boat when it departed from Libya, and authorities have recovered 20 bodies from the incident. The UNHCR is searching for another 12 to 17 survivors.
The UNHCR reports that 68 African migrants were killed in a boat capsizing incident off the coast of southern Yemen. The incident occurred early in August, but the exact location remains unspecified. The information about this incident was also reported by Associated Press (AP).
These two incidents highlight the persistently deadly nature of the Mediterranean migration route, despite efforts to reduce crossings. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that over 1,200 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean in 2025 so far. The IOM recorded at least 1,011 deaths for all Mediterranean migration routes in 2025, while the UNHCR estimates 1,236 deaths or missing persons mostly in the central Mediterranean.
It is crucial to remember that these numbers represent individuals with hopes, dreams, and families, who have tragically lost their lives in pursuit of a better life. The UNHCR, along with various international organisations, continues to work tirelessly to provide assistance and support to those making the dangerous journey and to remember those who have lost their lives along the way.
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